Central Valley Farmers Appeal Court Decision

Three Central Valley farmers are appealing a court decision from last year. They say the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service violated the Constitution by limiting water usage to protect a tiny endangered fish called the Delta smelt.

The lower court judge ruled against them in October 2009 and the appeal was filed today.

Damien Schiff with the conservative legal group Pacific Legal Foundation represents the farmers. He says the water cutbacks have cost the region revenue and jobs.

Schiff: “The water that used to flow to the Central Valley, that used to be stored and used for productive use is now no longer being used for that purpose, but is rather used for the Delta smelt on account of the endangered species act restrictions.”

But many scientists say the fish protections under the Endangered Species Act are important since they help keep the Delta’s ecosystem strong. The smelt’s population has plunged in the last decade.

Meanwhile, a federal panel meets in Davis this week to look at the rules currently protecting the Delta’s fish species.